The 'snowflakes' of modern society: a qualitative investigation of female university students’ anxiety about adulting
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> To explore the anxiety of university students. We note that the rhetoric of the snowflake is frequently invoked in lay discourse to characterise a generation of young people as overly sensitive. This misleading conceptualisation is potentially stigmatis...
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| 格式: | Journal article |
| 语言: | English |
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Emerald
2023
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| 总结: | <p><strong>Purpose:</strong> To explore the anxiety of university students. We note that the rhetoric of the
snowflake is frequently invoked in lay discourse to characterise a generation of young people
as overly sensitive. This misleading conceptualisation is potentially stigmatising.</p>
<p><strong>Methods:</strong> Interviews were conducted with 12 young women (18-25-years) about anxiety during their transition through university and into adulthood.</p>
<p><strong>Findings:</strong> We identified three themes; 1) students in a modern world; 2) gendered demands; and 3) anxiety of adulting. Analysis demonstrated numerous, transecting, and discourseinformed anxieties about modern life.</p>
<p><strong>Originality:</strong> The arguably pejorative label of ‘snowflake’ could negatively impact the social progress made in recognising the importance of taking care of mental health and helpseeking. This is especially concerning for females, as they have higher prevalence of anxiety conditions than males.</p>
<p><strong>Implications:</strong> University professionals may benefit from understanding the gendered
dimensions of anxiety associated with transitions to adulthood, including the increased pressures to succeed and achieve.</p> |
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